A LOCAL author has spoken out about the controversy surrounding a Hollywood film.

Helen Hollick, whose recently published novel Sea Witch is a rare pirate story for adults, has said that the debate around Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Man's Chest is ridiculous.

She said: "First a local descendant objected to his ancestors being portrayed as savage cannibals.

"Now David Cordingly, an eminent and well-respected authority on pirates, who acted as a historical consultant on the first film, has refused any association with the Disney films. Why? Because the films do not reflect the reality of pirates."

Mrs Hollick, 53, who lives near Walthamstow Village, researched the subject before writing Sea Witch.

She said that a few pirates such as Sir Francis Drake and Henry Morgan made their fortunes by sharing their spoils with the reigning monarch, and so were honoured, but most were considered the dregs of the seven seas.

And all were looters, rapists, murderers and thieves.

She added: "Cordingly calls pirates terrorists, and condemns the romanticism surrounding the general conception of piracy but who is going to watch a film of sordid louts pillaging, butchering and torturing, when the alternative is the gorgeous Johnny Depp re-creating his wonderful role of Jack Sparrow?

"The Pirates of the Caribbean films are fantasy. They are not meant to be real or taken seriously.

"My pirate, Captain Jesamiah Acorne, is a charming rogue and in a sexiest pirate contest he would give Johnny Depp's Jack Sparrow a run for his money.

"He is a scoundrel, who gets drunk on rum and loves bedding his women. He can and does kill, but he is also loyal and brave. In short he is a hero."

Sea Witch is now available in bookshops and at amazon.co.uk priced £9.99.